A pair of local high school football products officially made the jump to the post-secondary level this week.
Robert Bateman’s Liam McGennis and Abbotsford Senior’s Samwel Uko signed on the dotted lines with their respective brand new clubs, with both players intending to suit up in their new colours this fall.
McGennis is trading in the green and black of the Timberwolves for the gold, blue and red of the Queen’s University Gaels, which is located in Kingston, Ont.
The six-foot-five, 291 pound McGennis played both offensive and defensive line for the Timberwolves during his tenure with the team, and was named a AA Eastern conference all-star in 2017.
Timberwolves head coach David Mills praised McGennis’ athleticism, hard work and his desire to improve every year. Mills said he expects McGennis to continue to get better, and that his size and skill will be missed on the Bateman line next season.
McGennis signed his commitment papers inside the Bateman gym on Tuesday morning. He’s expected to primarily be on the offensive line with the Geals.
Queen’s kicks off the Ontario University Athletics regular season on Aug. 26 in Toronto against the York University Lions.
Meanwhile, Abbotsford Panthers star running back Samwel Uko’s next stop is Saskatoon as he committed to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Wednesday morning.
Uko finished his Grade 12 high school football season as the offensive most valuable player for the AA Eastern conference, and helped lead the Panthers to the AA championship game.
He collected 922 yards rushing and scored 17 touchdowns in five regular season games for the Panthers this year, who finished with a perfect 5-0 record in 2017.
Uko said he felt comfortable immediately with the Huskies coaching staff and he can’t wait to contribute in the fall.
Panthers head coach Jay Fujimura said Uko’s hard work will be missed on the Panthers next season, but that he’s proud to see the player move on.
“It means a lot to me,” Uko said, following the official signing inside the rotunda at Abbotsford Senior on Wednesday morning. “The dedication, hard work and support from my family, friends it all helped me get here. It’s a whole new life and I’m excited.”
Uko said he’ll be playing running back and also kick-off and punt returns with the Huskies. There will be at least one familiar face in Saskatoon for Uko, as he will join W.J. Mouat grad Nelson Lokombo on the Huskies. Lokombo, who plays defensive back for the Huskies, is entering his second year at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Huskies open the Canada West regular season on Aug. 31 when they host Alberta. The team also travels to UBC to take on the Thunderbirds on Oct. 12.